CHAPTER VII—­MR. PARKER PREDICTS

Tom Swift was a most generous lad, but when he saw that Mr. Damon had with him Mr. Parker, the gloomy scientist, who seemed to take delight in predicting disasters, our hero’s spirits were not exactly of the best.  He would have much preferred not to take Mr. Parker on the quest for the diamond makers, but, since Mr. Damon had mentioned it, he did not see how he could very well refuse.

“But perhaps he won’t care to go,” thought Tom.

He was undeceived a moment later, however, for the scientist remarked: 

I am very glad to meet you once more, Mr. Swift.  I have scarcely thanked you enough for what you did for us in erecting your wireless station on Earthquake Island, which, as you recall, I predicted would sink into the sea.  It did, I am glad to say, not because I like to see islands destroyed, but because science has been vindicated.  Now I have just heard you remark that you are about to set off to the mountains in search of some men who are making diamonds.  I need hardly state that this is utterly useless, for no diamonds, commercially valuable, can be made by men.  But the trip may be valuable in that it will permit me to demonstrate some scientific facts.

“Therefore, if you will permit me, I will be very glad to accompany you and Mr. Damon.  I shall be delighted, in short, and I can start as soon as you are ready.”

“There’s no hope for it!” thought Tom, dismally.  “I suppose he’ll wake up every morning, and predict that before night the world will come to an end, or he’ll prophesy that the airship will blow up, and vanish, when about seven miles above the clouds.  Well, there’s no way out of it, so here goes.”

Thereupon Tom welcomed the scientist as cordially as he could, and invited him to form one of the party that would set off in the airship to search for Phantom Mountain.

“Bless my jewelry box!” exclaimed Mr. Damon, when this formality was over.  “Tell me more about it, Tom.”

Which our hero did, stating the need of maintaining secrecy on account of the danger to Mr. Jenks.  Mr. Damon and Mr. Parker both agreed to say nothing about the matter, and then the scientist became much interested in the Red Cloud, which he closely examined.  He even complimented Tom on the skill shown in making it, and, contrary to our hero’s expectation, did not predict that it would blow up the next time it was used.

“How did you happen to arrive just at this time, Mr. Damon?” asked Tom.

“It was partly due to Mr. Parker,” was the answer.  “I had not seen him since we were rescued from the island, until a few days ago he called on me at my home.  I happened to mention that you lived near here, and suggested that he might like to see some of your inventions.  He agreed, and we came over in my auto.  And now, bless my liver-pin!  I find you about to start off on another trip.”